A dilapidated retaining wall, as well as large trees along Railroad Alley, remains a focal point of concern for several Palmerton residents.

Janis Sylstra, of the 500 block of Mauch Chunk Road, asked about leaf collection and said that they were not included on the regular collection.

As a result, Sylstra said, “Now we have a complete mess (at Railroad Alley). Every year, they would come and collect the leaves. This is the first year they didn’t.”

Sylstra then turned the conversation to Mauch Chunk Road, which was paved.

She said they don’t have a curb line, and so when they get heavy rain, it goes down to her basement.

Sylstra then asked what is going to be done with the dilapidated retaining wall along Railroad Alley.

“The wall is a hazard (is coming down),” Sylstra said. “What is going to be done about the wall and trees; one of these days a tree will fall down on a house or vehicle.”

Resident Debbie Smith, who also resides in the 500 block of Mauch Chunk Road, noted that as the wall’s falling down, the trees are getting closer and closer, and added they are huge.

Borough Manager Autumn Canfield noted that the borough previously applied for a Local Share Account grant to repair the old railroad tie wall along Railroad Alley.

Councilman Andrew Hollywood attempted to address the residents’ concerns.

“It is my desire to have that wall repaired,” Hollywood said, who added he couldn’t promise them that they can do anything about the trees. “I’m doing my best to get that wall repaired.”

In October, borough council approved a resolution for an LSA grant to fix the dilapidated retaining wall.

That came after it heard from both individuals in the spring about the issue.

In May 2025, Smith told borough council about the bank on Railroad Alley and said the ties were all falling down, and added the trees also needed to be trimmed.

She said the bank needs to be shored up before it collapses.

Council President Terry Costenbader told Smith, at that time, the borough was looking into the matter and had to determine who owns it.

In April 2025, Sylstra told borough council that the old railroad tie wall was falling down.

She said she had brought her concerns to council three years ago, and that she believed the wall is a huge safety issue.

Councilman Kris Hoffner agreed it’s bad.

Costenbader assured Sylstra in April that once the borough determined who owns the wall, it would be addressed.

Sylstra also mentioned speeding that goes on along Mauch Chunk Road, which she said is alarming when trying to pull out of Railroad Alley onto Mauch Chunk Road.